Free Web NovelChapter 28: Chapter 28: Next pair
Edward couldn’t understand. Solomon seemed more aggressive when dealing with them.
He initiated a series of attacks.
All did nothing.
His reserves were barely charged in terms of mana. Solomon, on the other hand, was as full as could be and ready to go.
40 seconds.
He threw one weak spell after another.
Nothing.
They all resulted in nothing.
"I’m done!" Faux shouted.
He passed the staff to Edward.
’Already? He must have been B rank,’ Edward thought.
Faux unleashed a massive wind attack.
Solomon initially got caught in the horizon.
He was now drifting in what could very well become a tornado.
"How are you doing back there?" Faux asked.
"Shit. Shit, shit."
He exclaimed.
He hit the staff.
He was absorbing mana back, but not at a particularly efficient rate.
Solomon descended.
He landed with so much force a shockwave was created, which dispersed Faux’s spell.
"Time’s running out," Faux added.
He initiated another spell.
This time, just gusts of wind were sent Solomon’s way.
His mana was so high it automatically dismissed it.
"Nothing happened?"
"You’ve got to be kidding me."
Faux exclaimed.
14 seconds.
Faux ran in.
He was going to fight Solomon with his staff.
"Not the brightest idea. Coming in close, I mean."
Solomon said.
He immediately disarmed him and sent him flying in the direction opposite to Edward’s.
8 seconds.
"There’s still time. First I’ll..."
Edward instantly activated a spell.
"Space Talent. No. 414."
"Thousand..."
Solomon waved his hand.
"No. 414."
He chanted after disrupting Edward’s spell before it could even take form.
"Shit."
0.
"Only Faux will advance."
Lana said.
"So it’s just like that Roe fellow."
"Modred’s already ahead."
He exclaimed.
The others thought Edward didn’t do well because his mana reserves were insane. So much that he couldn’t feed it all in a single go.
This wasn’t the case.
Edward was frustrated.
He knew why.
The others thought it was simply because he’d failed, even if only momentarily.
This wasn’t the case at all.
He was angry with his own weakness.
’Being stripped of my rank as an A rank mage made it only more apparent. The one flaw I’ve always been aware of,’ he thought.
’My inability to output large bursts comparable to my rank.’
The reason he was slow was simple.
His input, absorption rate was equal to his output.
For an A rank, Edward’s mana output has always been on the rather low side.
Faux was only a rank lower, yet he managed to absorb all his mana back in less than twenty seconds.
He had just about twice that, and still he couldn’t make it.
"The next pair."
Lana called out.
"Sigman and Randolph."
They introduced themselves.
Sigman didn’t want a plan.
He said he’d get the staff, they’d share it.
Randolph didn’t complain.
He claimed he was a simple guy and that he admired things that take less time.
Randolph - A Rank Mage - Spirit Talent.
"Start."
Sigman used a portal spell to get in from behind, employing a tactic not too different from what Edward had in mind.
"Spirit Talent. No. 1."
Randolph chanted.
He instantly went invisible.
"I’ll wait."
Portals were opening from just about all directions.
"The left. Two degrees further."
"Now a full 180."
The only things emerging from the portals were hands.
Sigman’s.
He was trying to trip and disorient Solomon.
It wasn’t working.
He was running low on mana.
"Wow, it still took a toll despite using only the most basic spell."
He exclaimed.
Solomon assumed a stance, ready to retaliate.
37 seconds.
"Got it!" Randolph shouted.
He threw it over to Sigman.
He was done and back to full output.
"One second. Impossible."
Lana exclaimed.
"You take care of the staff. I’ll keep him busy. After all, I’m back to full power."
Sigman didn’t want to question the situation.
He was actively trying to restore his own mana reserves.
It still couldn’t escape his mind.
The thought lingered.
’How did Randolph assimilate all his mana back in a single second?’
’His mana control must be off the charts.’
18 seconds.
Randolph was restraining Solomon by simply limiting his movements thanks to simple beams.
"Why go easy this time?"
Edward questioned.
He was watching from the side.
Solomon was clearly not attacking at the same intensity as before.
It finally clicked.
Solomon was impressed.
He’d already deemed them fit to pass.
He was only passing time.
The minute was the final hurdle.
Edward realized Solomon didn’t approve of his innovative attempt.
"I’m done!" Sigman shouted.
9 seconds.
With time to spare.
"Hey, Master Solomon."
He shouted.
He summoned his staff.
"Could you do me a favor and take this attack head-on?"
"I want to determine something." ƒгeeweɓn૦vel.com
Everyone in the crowd stood in shock.
He was done in time, a big feat.
Not only that, he was now challenging Solomon.
Lot grinned.
He was proud.
This was the kind of dynamic he wanted to foster. Mages willing to challenge authority and those higher up.
His staff shined.
Then brighter.
And even brighter.
"Not yet."
He said.
"It’s not big enough."
"Not yet."
3 seconds.
"Not yet."
"Time’s up."
Lana announced.
Sigman sighed in disappointment.
He knew he couldn’t continue.
He just discharged the mana.
"Next pair."
Another group went on.
They did no better than those who failed before them.
"Cocky."
Edward commented.
"Huh, what’s that?" Sigman asked.
"You heard me."
Edward responded.
Sigman laughed.
"Well, yeah."
"Whatever. Just make it through and get over here."
Sigman teased.
Another pair went on.
They did rather poorly as well.
Jack and his mate were next.
60 seconds.
Gone just like that.
Not even an expression change from Solomon.
Ursula and Beatrix were next.
Beatrix said she was going to lead.
Ursula agreed.
She understood why Beatrix desired this.
She needed a win.
Beatrix - A Rank Mage - Light Talent.
Ursula - S Rank Mage - Space Talent.
"Light Talent. No. 36. Blades of Purity."
Beatrix chanted.
The sky now filled with blades of varying lengths.
Ready to attack.
"Can you do that?" Ursula asked.
"I mean the range. Aren’t we now all just C rank in terms of reserves?"
"That’s not a C rank spell."
"Says who?"
Beatrix poked.
